Method of forming reinforced wooden members



NOV. 17,, 1970 J, c, JUREIT ETAL 7 3,540,107

METHOD OF FORMING REINFORCED WOODEN MEMBERS Original Filed July 8, 19665 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN C. JURIET BENJAMIN H.KUSHNER BY Y r. ,1 J/Lbr v iINVEN'IORS.

ATTORNEYS,

Nov. 17, 1970 c, JUREIT IETAL METHOD OF FORMING REINFORCED WOODENMEMBERS Original Filed July 8. 1966 i 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

JOHN C. JURIET BENJAMIN H. KUSHNER lily/1% ATTORNEYS.

NOV. 17, 1970 g, JuRElT ET AL 3,540,107

METHOD OF FORMING REINFORCED WOODEN MEMBERS Original Filed July 8, 19665 Sheets-Sheet 5 as $9 a (\1 JOHN C. JURIET BENJAMIN H. KUSHNER BY 0Q@Vw ATTORNEY S INVENTORS.

Nov. 17, 19.70 J. c. JUR'E'IT ETAL 3,540,107

METHOD OF FORMING REINFORCED WOODEN MEMBERS Original Filed July 8. 1966v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 N I INVENTOR$ JOHN C. JURIET BENJAMIN H. KUSHNER BY vATTORNEY S Nov. 17, 1970 J c, JUREIT ETAL METHOD OF FORMING REINFORCEDWOODEN MEMBERS Original Filed July s. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N QE S m m vN msmwwm 0% wl 1 o H m N A i. i 1.I. i E 20E wow l xm I 9 M NIH .i w? -iI -1 J N \L i :I -I {I :1 N M u X m F. q: 0mm ||i|- 1|- .fi x 8 w a295mm 2. =6 5% Q5 5 mm J6 Maggi: 5 MwWmEEJ N8 z 5mm? km 8m 0% M 8N A 5me: Q 8 -61 A .M 9m W N 3 m 0E .08 8m 5 Eu; :6 H53 5 -fi 4 BY ap/JATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,540,107 METHOD OF FORMING REINFORCEDWOODEN MEMBERS John C. Jureit and Benjamin H. Kushner, Miami, Fla.,assignors to Automated Building Components, Inc., Miami, Fla., acorporation of Florida Original application July 8, 1966, Ser. No.563,908, now Patent No. 3,419,205, dated Dec. 31, 1968. Divided and thisapplication Apr. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 753,319

Int. Cl. B23p 17/00, 11/00 US. Cl. 29-155 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This application is a division of Jureit et al. applicationSer. No. 563,908, filed July 8, 1966, now Pat. No. 3,419,- 205.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming reinforcedwooden members and more particularly relates to an apparatus and methodfor assembling metal connectors with lumber elements.

In the normal construction of railroad trackage, the rails are held inposition on a series of lateral cross ties by means of railroad spikesimbedded in the ties. Due to seasoning, weathering and the extremes oftemperatures to which the ties are exposed it is commonplace for cracksto develop in the tie ends in vertical planes running inwardly towardthe railroad spikes in the center of the tie. Such cracks are inherentlyprogressive in nature and their speed of progression is accelerated bythe periodic pounding of the ties by passing trains. Also, freezingwater in the tracks expands and through wedge action, progressivechecking is induced in the railroad tie. As the cracks progress, the tiebecomes an increasingly poor support for the rails, particularly sincethe cracking tends to accelerate any tendencies of the railroad spikesto withdraw or become loose in the tie. Various remedies for suchsplitting have been proposed in the past, but, for one reason oranother, none have been completely suitable or universally used, so faras is known.

Other heavy lumber elements used in outdoor environments, such as thecross bars of telegraph and telephone poles, fence posts, and bridge andtrestle timbers are similarly subject to splitting for some or all ofthe reasons mentioned above. The splitting problem is particularlyaggravated where the lumber element is not of circular cross section,but is instead provided with a different cross section (usuallyrectangular). It has been established by the Forest Products Laboratoryof the United States, Department of Agriculture at Madison, Wis., thatsplitting of wood occurs only after the moisture content drops to about3035%, the point at which wood shrinks. The shrinkage tangentially alongthe annular ring is greater than the shrinkage radially across the woodrings. It is this uneven degree of shrinkage that sets up stresseswithin the wood which exceed the bonding strength of the wood to cause asplit.

In a log or pole, the annular rings are full circles which put in afairly uniform stress on the wood within them, resulting primarily in acompressing action. However, when a log is sawed to make a lumberelement of other ice than a circular cross section, the annular ringsare cut, and the sections of annular rings tend to straighten as theyshrink because the remainder of the ring is no longer present to balancethe shrinkage stress. This action also causes warping in thin boardsthat do not have edge grain. Timbers of large cross sectional dimensionssuch as railroad cross ties and like which have a rectangularcrosssection will usually crack or split through the pith (heart) acrossthe narrow cross-sectional dimension. The straightening action caused bythe shrinkage of the growth rings applies a stress on each side of thepith, in opposite directions. When the stress becomes greater than thesplit resisting strength of the wood, splitting results.

All anti-splitting devices previously proposed have been designed toresist the splitting forces created by shrinkage of the wood. Until thewood splits sufiiciently to offset the shrinkage that caused the split,the device cannot be effective in controlling the split. To be elfectivean anti-splitting device must have sufficient strength and holding powerin the wood to resist any splitting force which might develop and mustremain in place through most of the life of the lumber element.

According to the present invention, it has been found that cross tiesand other elements with incipient cracks may be reinforced to possessalmost the original support strength and stability and it has beenfurther found that uncracked ties may be reinforced in order to preventor at least delay cracking and to hold the tie in a unitary form aftercracking occurs, so that the cracking does not produce the deleteriouseffects previously mentioned.

Thus, it has been found according to the present invention that a new orexposed railroad tie may be efiectively reinforced to greater prolongits useful life if the ends are forced together and held in position bymeans of a connector plate having a relatively large number of elongatednail-like teeth struck therefrom and imbedded in the tie with the axesof the teeth substantially parallel to the grain of the tie. Arelatively large number of such teeth have been found desirable in orderto distribute the stress and reduce the withdrawal tendency to whicheach tooth is subject in service. As is commonly known, the withdrawalresistance of the common nail is less when the nail is driven parallelto the grain than when the nail is driven perpendicular to the grain.According to the present invention, large pluralities of nails are usedto provide adequate withdrawal resistance and these are provided innail-like form in order to maximize withdrawal resistance. That is tosay, while it might 'be supposed that relatively short triangular teethmight be used for the same purpose, experience has shown that such teethhave relatively little withdrawal resistance so that the plate must besecured in a wooden member by some additional means, such as nails,bolts, or glue. This obviously would entail a greater expense inmounting the plates, and therefore is relatively unsatisfactory as asolution to the problem.

In the past, it has been commonplace to attempt to minimize splitting inrailroad ties by applying so-called irons to the ends of the ties.Generally this is done prior to installing the ties and prior to thetime that any significant splitting has occurred. The irons areconventionally applied by hammering or driving them into the ends of theties either with or without a prior grooving or other cutting of the endto receive the iron.

According to the present invention, it has now been found that it is notonly possible to reinforce the ends of such wooden elements as railroadties, and the like, but that it is possible to do so according to amethod and utilizing an apparatus which assembles reinforcing plates insuch a manner as to result in a greater tie life than possible with theprior iron reinforcing practice, In addition, the apparatus and methodof the instant invention permit 3 the salvaging of seriously split tiesand the like pieces of lumber as well as subjecting even slightly splitlumber to assembly techniques which considerably lengthen the life ofthe unit.

The foregoing is accomplished according to the present invention bypositioning an elongated wooden element substantially horizontal,clamping opposed sides of each end of the element so as to close bothlarge and small cracks, and then embedding reinforcing plates atopposite ends of the wooden member by moving the teeth of the platesinto the wooden member in a more or less gradual fashion as opposed to ahammering technique. According to the preferred embodiment of theinvention, both ends of the wooden element are clamped, a toothed plateis forced into one end of the element which thereupon moves so that theelement is forced onto the teeth of the other toothed reinforcing plate,while at the same time, the clamping means are moving simultaneouslywith the wooden element. Once the reinforcing plates are in position,the clamping means may be released, withdrawn longitudinally off theends of the wooden element, and the element removed from themanufacturing device.

It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide a newand improved method for peripherally compressing a wooden element atselective positions, while at the same time driving connector platesinto the opposite ends thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved methodfor preventing lumber splitting.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method forminimizing the deleterious effects of a previous split in lumberelements.

Another object of the invention is to reduce splitting in lumberelements by applying peripheral compressive forces to selected surfacesadjacent the ends of a lumber element and concurrently applyingconnector plates to the opposite longitudinal ends thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method forsimultaneously compressing all of the surfaces adjacent the ends of alumber element and concurrently pressing connector plates into thelongitudinal ends thereof.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method for makingreinforced wooden elements by positioning an elongated wooden elementsubstantially horizontal, clamping opposed sides of each end of theelement, and embedding two plates in opposite ends thereof by moving theteeth of one plate into one end of the element thereby driving its otherend onto the teeth of the second toothed plate while the clampingdevices move with the wooden element.

These and further objects and advantages of the invention will be moreapparent upon reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a novel apparatus constructed in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1with the support members thereof broken away;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken along the plane 3-3 of FIG. 2and illustrates the carriage assembly and press sub-assembly of theapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the carriage assembly and press subassembly as shownin FIG. 3 upon the presses assuming a compressing position about theperiphery of a railroad tie proximate the end thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along the plane 5-5 of FIG. 4 andillustrates magnetically supported connector plate proximate to one endof a railroad tie which is concurrently being compressed along the foursurfaces thereof;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating the structural make-up of an endpressing platen;

FIG. 7 is a Vertical section taken along the plane 7 7 of FIG. 2 andillustrates the working relationship between the structural elements ofthe adjustable tie support to center the railroad tie; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system employed tooeprate the various units of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereis shown a hydraulically actuatable embodiment of a manufacturing,anti-splitting or reinforcing apparatus constructed in accordance withthe presend invention indicated generally by the numeral 10. The deviceincludes a main tie press frame assembly or bed 12 upon which the otherelements of the apparatus are mounted. The left end of the frameassembly 12 carries the movable platen end press assembly indicatedgenerally at 14 while the right end of the frame assembly carries thestationary platen end reaction assembly indicated generally at 18. Themovable platen assembly 14 is provided with a longitudinally movable endpressing platen indicated generally at 16, while at the same time, theend reaction assembly 18 is provided with a similar type fixedly mountedpressing platen indicated generally at 16a. A pair of hydraulicallycontrolled press assemblies indicated generally at 26, are mountedrespectively upon a right hand carriage assembly 20 and a left handcarriage assembly 22. The carriage assemblies 20 and 22 are mounted onframe assembly 12 for longitudinal movement and positioning therealong.Positioning at the right hand carriage assembly 20 is accomplished byway of right hand traverse hydraulic cylinder 30, while positioning ofthe left hand carriage assembly 22 along the frame assembly 12 isprovided by way of left hand traverse hydraulic cylinder 32. A pair ofadjustable railroad tie supports 28 are mounted in spaced apartpositions along frame assembly 12, for positioning the lumber elementelevationally and transversely upon the frame assembly. An end presshydraulic cylinder 36 controls the movement of the longitudinallymovable end pressing platen 16 and drives into the ends of the lumbersuitable reinforcing or connector plates which are fixedly held topressing platens 16 and 16a. A suitable hydraulic assembly, showngenerally by the numeral 38, and including control section 40 providesthe means for the operation and manipulation of the apparatus 10.

The frame assembly 12 comprises a hollow, rectangular steel frameincluding a pair of side channel members 46 which extend along thelongitudinal expanse of the frame, see FIGS. 3 and 4. These areconnected by a plurality of transverse channel shaped steel stiifenersor support members 48 spaced along the longitudinal expanse of frame 12,see FIG. 1. The rectangular steel frame 12 may be further provided withreinforcing members and gusset plates, not shown, as may be needed toprovide a structurally rigid support base. Longitudinally spaced pairsof aligned opposed rails 52 are fixedly mounted on opposite sides of theside channels 46 for a purpose presently to become apparent.

The end press hydraulic cylinder 36 is mounted at the left end of theframe assembly by a pair of L-shaped hydraulic cylinder bracket supportplates 58 mounted in opposed position atop the left end of the frame asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bracket plates 58 are secured to the frame12 by the horizontal flanges 64. Projecting inwardly of the bracketplates 58 in opposed relationship to each other are a pair of bosses 60.The bosses 60 are provided with aligned apertures to fixedly positionone end of hydraulic end press cylinder 36 by means of a pin 62 passingthrough the apertures and through a mounting lug 60a on the cylinder 36,see FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1 and explained, the rearward end of hydraulic endpress 36 is pivoted between the upright bracket plates 58, this pivotalconnection eliminating the need for accurate alignment of a series ofelements. At the same time the forward end of the hydraulic end press 36is maintained in proper position by means of a hydraulic cylinder guidesupport assembly indicated generally at 65a, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2and 5. The guide support to the side plate 138. In addition L-shapedside plates 138 are provided with a pair of aligned, vertically spacedapart apertures 139 for receipt of a pair of spring rods which areassociated with the press sub-assembly presently to be described.Fixedly connected to side plates 138, about apertures 139, are aperturedtrunnion bearing housings 141. Suitable spring trunnions 224 are mountedwithin the trunnion bearing housings 141 and cooperate with the springrods of the press sub-assemblies to pivotally carry the same relative tothe right and left hand carriage assemblies between nonpressing andpressing positions about a lumber element. The structural relationshipbetween the carriage assemblies and the press sub-assemblies will bediscussed in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 4, the side plates 156 form the opposite overhangingside of the right and left hand carriage assemblies. Each of sides 156are provided with an angularly disposed plate 140, similar to that ofsides 138. In addition, rollers 144 are journalled for rotation intosides 156. The rollers 144 are received within spaced apart, alignedtracks 52 provided along side plate 46 for longitudinal positioning ofthe carriage assembly at selective positions therealong. In operationtracks 52 cooperate with their similarly positioned counterparts on theopposite side of the frame assembly to enable movement of the carriageassemblies.

Sides 138 and 156 of the right and left hand carriage assemblies areinterconnected by substantially L- shaped spaced apart transverselyextending members 154 and 155, see FIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the upright legs 155:: of the L-shaped members 154 and 155 are fixedlyconnected to the upright portions 138a of the L-shaped side plates 138.Accordingly, transverse members 154 and 155 extend to the sameelevational position as the L-shaped side plates 138. The uprightportions 155a of transverse members 154 and 155 are interconnected by afirst pad 168, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to provide support and a restposition for the press sub-assembly which is carried thereupon. In likemanner, the transversely extending portions of sides 154 and 155 areinterconnected by pads 170 and 174 and vertical members 154 and 155 toprovide a base support and rest position for the press sub-assemblywhich is carried thereupon.

It will thus be appreciated that the carriage assemblies comprisecarriages rollable along the tracks 52 and including verticallyupstanding portions comprised of plates 138a, 154a and 155a andhorizontally disposed portions comprised of plates 154 and 155 crossbraced by pads 170 i and 174 and plates 158.

A lug 166, see FIG. 5, is attached to, and projects centrally of,transverse side 154 of the left hand carriage assembly. Lug 166 would ofcourse project from side 155 for the right hand carriage assembly. Thelug 166 is connected by a pin 363 to a bifurcated connector 362 carriedby the piston 360 of the cylinder 32. As shown in FIG. 5 lug 166provides the means for connection to the piston of the left handtraverse hydraulic cylinder.

. In similar manner the lug 166 of the right hand carriage assemblycooperates with the piston of right hand travere hydraulic cylinder 30.Accordingly, upon actuation of cylinders 30 or 32 movement of the rightor left hand carriage assemblies is provided. The carriage assembliesare slightly spacially elevated above the top of frame assembly 12 bythe elevational rolling relationship between tracks 52 and rollers 144,see FIG. 3. In this manner the carriage assemblies are longitudinallyfreely movable along the frame 12 in accordance with the dimension ofthe lumber element to be positioned thereupon. Both the right hand andleft hand carriage assembles 20 and 22 respectively are provided withpress sub-assemblies which will now be described.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the press sub-assemblies 26 are eachprovided with a pair of substantially rectangular vertical and parallelside plates 178 and 180 which are rectangularly apertured at 180a,through which apertures the lumber element may extend. The lower edges178a and 18012 of vertical plates 178 and 180 are slidably received overthe transverse plates 154 and 155 of the carriage assemblies. Thevertical and parallel side plates 178 and 1-80 of the presssub-assemblies are attached together by means of a pair of heavy pressbed or pressure plates 184 and 198 mounted at right angles to oneanother and welded together at their juncture to form a bed for woodenelement being han dled, such as the railroad tie 314 illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. In addition to these fastening elements, the verticalplates 17 8 and 180 are also attached by means of ribs 186, 188, 200 and202. Rib 186 is spaced away from press bed or pressure plate 184 in athroat defining manner and, with pressure plate 184, receives anapertured mounting plate 194 which is fixedly connected between plates178 and 180, pressure plate 184, and rib 186 in a manner as shown inFIG. 4. Mounting plate 194 is provided with an aperture 196substantially centrally thereof for passage of a piston associated witha hydraulic cylinder in a manner to be explained hereinafter.

The rib 200 which extends between side plates 178 and 180 is spaced frompressure plate 198 and defines a throat or passage therewith. Mountedbetween parallel rib 200 and pressure plate 198, substantiallyperpendicular thereto, is a mounting plate 204. Mounting plate 204 iswelded between rib 200 and pressure plate 198 and in addition has itsother ends welded to side plates 178 and 180. Mounting plate 204 isprovided with an aperture centrally thereof for projection therethroughof a piston which is associated with the horizontal hydraulic cylinderand will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Pressure plate 184, is provided with a pair of integrally formed,vertically aligned, spaced apart pivot blocks 210 and 212. Pivot blocks210 and 212 are provided with an aperture therethrough for receipt of apivot pin 220. Spring rods 216 having bifurcated heads 218 with alignedapertures in the opposed jaws enable pivotal connection to pivot blocks210 and 212. After positioning rod head 218 about the pivot blocks,pivot pin 200 is inserted to pivotally fix the spring rod to the pivotblocks 210 and 212 respectively. Spring rods 216 extend to the uprightends of transversely extending sides 154 and 155 of carriage assemblies20 and 22. As discussed hereinbefore, the angularly L-shaped side plates138 are provided with a pair of aligned, vertically spaced apartapertures 139 for extension of spring rods 216 therethrough. Fixedlyconnected to side plates 138, about apertures 139, are aperturedtrunnion bearing housings 141. Pivotally mounted Within trunnion bearinghousing 141 are spring trunnions 224. Spring trunnions 224 slidablyreceive spring rods 216 and permit both vertical and horizontal movementof the press sub-assemblies. Springs 228 which are concentricallymounted about the ends of rods 216 project beyond side plate 138 andprovide the biasing force for returning the press sub-assemblies totheir at rest positions shown in FIG. 3. The springs are held inposition about the spring rod by fiat washers 230- and nuts 234 whichengage threads formed along the terminal end of the spring rods 216 tobias the spring between the flat washers 230 and the spring trunnions224. It should be appreciated that in the at rest or non-pressingposition of the press sub-assembly 26, that shown by FIG. 3, springs 228are capable of maintaining the pressure plates 184 and 19 8 uponmetallic pads 168 and 170, 174 respectively. Upon actuation of thevertical and horizontal clamping cylinders of the press sub-assemblies26, pressure plates 184 and 198 will be moved concurrently with, and asa result of, movement of side plates 178 assembly includes a pair ofparallel upstanding members 66 welded to the top of the frame 12, seeFIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cylindrically shaped guide tube 68projects longitudinally through the spaced support members 66 and iswelded thereto. Longitudinally movable end pressing platen 16 is shownto be telescopically associated with cylindrical guide tube 68. Thestructural and operational cooperation between the above describedelements will now be outlined in greater detail in connection with thedescription of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of equal diameter cylindrical slide members72 and 74 are fixedly connected together, as by welding, and aretelescopically slidably received within cylindrical guide tube 68. Thebore of the cylindrical slide member 72, while coaxial with bore of themore elongated cylindrical slide member 74 is of substantially smallerdiameter. The other end of the elongated cylindrical slide member 74 isprovided with a cylindrical cap 76 which is fixedly attached thereto bywelding or any other suitable means. The cylindrical cap 76 has a bossor central projection 78. The cap 76 is also provided with a pluralityof threaded recesses, proximate the periphery thereof, for threadedattachment to the end press platen assembly 16.

As shown by FIG. 5, the cylindrical slide 72 has a central bore having adiameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the end of thepiston 70 of hydraulic end press cylinder 36 and is secured thereto by aset screw 80. Accordingly, longitudinal movement of piston 70 willresult in the concurrent movement of-cylindrical slide members 72 and74, cylindrical cap 76, and, finally, the end pressing platen 16. Inorder to prevent rotation of the elements 72, 74 and 76 within the boreof cylindrical guide tube 68, a guide pin 81 is shown to projectinwardly to be received in a longitudinal keyway 81a. Guide pin 81 isexternally threaded to receive a hexagonal lock nut 82.

End pressing platen 16 magnetically supports the multitoothed connectorplates 17 for pressing into the ends of the lumber members atpre-established points of the op erational cycle. In order toaccommodate for irregularity in the ends of the lumber members, a uniquepressing platen design is provided. As shown in FIGS. and 6, pressingplaten assembly 16 comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve 84 having acontinuous outer surface slidably receivable within the bore of thesupport tube 68. The left end of the bore in the sleeve 84 has anincreased diameter portion 84a which receives the projection 78 ofcylindrical cap 76. In addition, sleeve 84 is provided with a pluralityof apertures 86 formed symmetrically about the center thereof proximateits perimeter. Apertures 86 are aligned with the threaded recessesformed in the cylindrical cap 76.

A rectangularly platen plate 88 is provided with a plurality ofcountersunk apertures 90 aligned with the apertures 86 of sleeve 84 andwith the threaded apertures formed in cylindrical cap 76. A bolt 92 isshown in FIG. 5 to extend through the aligned apertures in platen plate88, sleeve and cap 76 to threadedly affix the enumerated elements toeach other. Platen plate 88 is also provided with apertures 94 proximateeach of its corners, as may be seen in FIG. 6. Lastly a pair ofcentering or positioning pins 95 are secured on opposite sides of piston88.

A rubber platen pad 96 made of any suitable resilient flexible materialsuch as Elastacast is sandwiched between platen plate 88 and a pressingplaten 98 in the manner shown in FIG. 5. In this way, any irregularitiesin the ends of railroad ties or other type of lumber members isautomatically compensated for by the resilient pad 96. The rubber platenpad 96 is provided with apertures 97 in each of its corners, alignedwith the apertures 95 in platen plate 88 and sleeve 96 for mountingthereto. In addition, a pair of apertures 110 are provided on oppositesides of the rubber platen pad 96 mediate the corner apertures forreceipt of the projecting centering pins 95.

Pressing platen 98 is provided with fixedly mounted threaded studs 100projecting from each of its corners for passage through corner apertures94 of platen plate 88 and corner apertures 97 of rubber platen pad 96.Hexagonal nuts 102, see FIG. 5, threadedly engage the threaded ends ofprojecting studs 100 to couple platen plate 88, resilient platen pad 96,and pressing platen 98 together. It will be appreciated that the studs100 are slideable through the various apertures to permit compression ofthe resilient pad 96 between plate 88 and platen 98. In addition aplurality of recesses 104 is provided on the outer surface of pressingplaten 98 to receive small cylindrical magnetic inserts 106. Magneticinserts 106 are received into recesses 104 such that a flat coplanarouter surface results.

Aligned with end pressing platen assembly 16 for engagement with theopposite end of a railroad tie or other lumber element is a similarlymade platen assembly 16a. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a platen mount tube112 carries a plate 112a to which the platen assembly 16a is secured bystuds and nuts 92a. The end pressing platen assembly 16a includes thesame structural elements as those previously discussed in connectionwith the description of FIG. 6 to enable automatic adjustment forirregular lumber member ends. In addition, magnetic inserts are providedso that a connector plate will magnetically be held in alignment withthe longitudinal end of a railroad tie for pressing thereinto. However,whereas the previously discussed end pressing platen assembly 16 wasmounted upon piston 70 for longitudinal movement therewith uponactuation of hydraulic cylinder 36, the opposed end pressing platenassembly 16a, which is aligned with end pressing platen assembly 16, isrigidly and fixedly positioned in immovable fashion to press amagnetically held connector plate into the opposite end of the railroadtie upon movement of the same thereinto by the action of the hydrauliccylinder 36. As can be appreciated, the platen mount tube 112 and itsassociated platen mount stud must be rigidly fixed in order to be ableto withstand the ramming action imposed thereupon by the hydrauliccylinder 36 and the railroad tie.

To this end, platen mount tube 112 is rigidly positioned by way of atruncated semi-pyramid type structure which includes end plate 114,rigidly fixed in an upright position by welding to frame assembly 12,top plate 120, side gusset plates 122 and rear plate 126, see FIG. 1.The elements last mentioned are fixedly positioned one to the other byway of welding or other suitable means. In addition the bottoms of sidegusset plates 122 and rear face plate 126 are welded in position to theframe assembly 12. Accordingly, forces exerted upon the platen mounttube 112 by the ramming of the railroad tie thereagainst are adequatelywithstood. Rear plate 126 is provided with an opening 130 to permit theprojection therethrough of the right hand traverse hydraulic cylinder30. This will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

FIG. 1 shows both right hand and left hand carriage assembly structures20 and 22 each capable of selective differential positioning along thelongitudinal expanse of the frame upon rollers 144 received in tracks52. In the interest of brevity, since the structure of right handcarriage assembly 20 is exactly the same as the left hand carriageassembly 22, only the right hand assembly will be described.

Each carriage assembly 20 and 22 is provided with a vertically disposedgenerally L-shaped side plate 138 each having a tapered plate 140angularly welded thereto in the manner as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.Each plate 138 is provided with a pair of spaced apertures 142 formounting rollers 144. To this end bosses project inwardly of the sideplate 138 around the apertures 142. Rollers 144 are provided withsuitable axles 147, which in turn are secured to bosses 145 throughapertures 142. The outer ends of the axles 147 are provided with threadsfor engagement with nuts 148 for fastening the rollers and 180, inwardlyand upwardly to the positions shown in FIG. 4, from their normal or restpositions as shown in FIG. 3. In assuming the position shown in FIG. 4,spring rods 216 pivot about pivot blocks 210, 212 and spring trunnions224 and slide through the latter against the bias of the springs. Uponreturn of the horizontal and vertical clamping cylinders to restposition, the pressure plates 184 and 198 will automatically be returnedto their normal positions abutting pads 168, and 170, 174. The pressingplatens will then be moved away from the lumber structure to which ithad previously been clamped and removal of the same can now beaccomplished.

The hydraulic mechanism for moving the pressure plates 184 and 198 ofthe press sub-assemblies 26 from their normal positions to theirclamping positions about a railroad tie or other wooden element, thepress subassemblies are each provided with a horizontal surfacehydraulic clamp cylinder 240 and a vertical surface hydraulic clampcylinder 280 of similar design. Accordingly, in the interest of brevityonly cylinder 240 will be described in detail. Each of the hydraulicclamp cylinders 240 and 280 are provided with end plates including asocket 243 for connection with a flexible hydraulic line 248. Flexiblehydraulic line 248 is connected through a four-way valve, describedhereinafter in connection with FIG. 8, to the high pressure output sideof a hydraulic pump and to a return line leading either to the sump ofthe hydraulic system or to the low pressure input side of a pump. Thefour-way valve alternately connects the line 248 to the output or to thereturn line so that hydraulic fluid is alternately supplied to andexhausted from the fluid chamber beween the piston head (not shown) ofpiston 260 and the top of the cylinder 240. Mounted on the end ofhydraulic cylinder 240 opposite to that of end plate 242 is an end plate244 having a socket 245 for connection to a flexible hydraulic line 250.Flexible hydraulic line 250, similar to line 248, alternately suppliesor exhausts pressurized fluid from the fluid chamber between the pistonhead and the bottom of cylinder 240. End plates 242 and 244 are providedwith aligned apertures proximate the corners thereof for receipt ofclamping studs 266. Accordingly, the horizontal surface hydraulic clampcylinder 240 is connected by way of studs 266 and clamping nuts 272 tomounting plate 194 in a rigid, stationary position. As shown in FIGS. 3or 4, suitable nuts or spacers 268 may be provided between adapter 244and the mounting plate 194. Upon the mounting of the horizontal surfacehydraulic clamp cylinder 240 to mounting plate 194, piston 260 projectsthrough aperture 196 in the manner shown. Accordingly, if fluid isinserted into flexible hydraulic line 248 downward positioning of thepiston 260 results, and on the other hand if fluid is inserted intoflexible hydraulic 250 upward movement of piston 260 Will result.Accordingly, movement of the piston results in the desired upward ordownward movement of the horizontal clamp pressing platen 286 associatedtherewith.

As shown in FIGS. 3 or 4 horizontal clamp pressing platen 286 generallyconsists of an annular mounting hub 284, and a flexible or resilientpressing platen pad 286. Annular mounting hub 280 is provided with abore 282 which is substantially equal to the diameter of piston 260. Inaddition, hub 284 is provided with either one or a plurality of radicalthreaded apertures 288 into which set screws are threadedly received forclamping the annular hub 288 to the piston 260. Annular hub 284 isfixedly connected, as by welding for example, to a hub platen plate 290for rigid association therewith. Pressing platen 286 is structurallysimilar to that of end press platen assembly '16, described hereinabovein connection with FIG. 6, in that a hub platen plate 290, a resilentrubber platen pad 292 and a pressing platen plate 294 are provided. Asshown in FIG. 3 the hub platen plate, rubber platen pad, and pressingplaten plate are provided with a series of aligned apertures for receiptof studs 296 projecting from the pressing platen. Pressing platen plate294 and the resilient rubber platen pad 292 are fixedly connected to hubplaten plate 290 by the threaded engagement of hexagonal jam nuts 300about the threadede ends of the projecting studs 296. In addition awasher 298 may be provided if necessary. Accordingly, the horizontalsurface clamp pressing platen 286 is fixedly connected to the piston 260for receiprocal movement therewith. A guide pin 306 projects outwardlyfrom one end of hub platen plate 290 for vertical reciprocal movement inthe elongated vertical guide pin recess 190 formed in pressure plate184.

In similar fashion vertical surface clamp pressure 309 is fixedlyattached to piston 310 of vertical surface hydraulic clamp cylinder 280for reciprocal movement therewith. Similar to the action of horizontalsurface clamp cylinder 240, hydraulic fluid flowing into verticalsurface clamp cylinder 280 by way of a suitable fourway valve, end plate311, socket 312 and flexible line 313 to result in transverse inwardmovement of pressing platen 309. Furthermore, upon hydraulic fluid beingprovided to end plate 315, socket 316 and flexible line 317, piston 310will be returned to its original non-engaging position. Vertical surfacehydraulic cylinder 280 is fixedly mounted to mounting plate 204 in amanner similar to that in which horizontal surface cylinder 240 isconnected to mounting plate 194. Furthermore structurally andcooperatively the connection of pressing platen 304 to piston 310 is inall detail the same to that hereinabove described in connection withcylinder 260. The pressing plate of platen 309 carries a pin 208a ridingin guide slot 208.

The rigid interconnection of cylinders 240' and 280 to mounting plates194 and 204- respectively results in the formation of a novel centerclosing press. More partic ularly, fluid flowing through hydraulic fluidline 248 into cylinder 240, will result in a downward movement of piston260. Accordingly, since the horizontal surface clamp pressure platen 286is fixedly connected to piston 260, a vertically downward movement willresult thereto. At the same time, a transversely inward movement isbeing applied to piston 310 and its associated pressing platen 312 bysimilar actuation of vertical surface hydraulic clamp cylinder 280. Uponthe horizontal surface clamp pressing platen 286 engaging the upperperipheral surface of lumber element 314 adjacent the end thereof, andthe vertical surface clamp pressure platen engaging the verticalperipheral surface of railroad tie 314, there results an upward movementof cylinder 240 and outward movement of cylinder 280. Since thecylinders are fixedly attached to mounting plate 194 and 204, anupwardly and outwardly directed force will be transmitted to the sideframes 178 and 180 due to mounting plates 194 and 204 being fixedlyconnected thereto, to shift the side frames against the force of biasingsprings 228. As a result pressure plates 184 and 198 will be shiftedfrom their nonpressing position of FIG. 3 to their pressing positions ofFIG. 4. As a result, a clamping of the railroad tie along all fourperipheral edges will be accomplished.

The press sub-assembly will maintain its clamped position about railroadtie 314 until pressurized fluid is forced, by way of hydraulic fluidlines 250 and 286, into the chamber between the piston head and thebottom of cylinder 240 and the piston head of piston 310 and the bottomof its cylinder 280. Upon such an occurrence, a concurrent upwardmovement to piston 260 and an out ward movement of piston 310 willoccur. The result is that pressure plates 184 and 198 will assume theirnormal rest position upon metallic pads 168, and 170, 174 respectively.As a result of the outward and downward movement of pressure plates 184ando 198 respectively, spring rods 216 will be pivoted to their normalblasing position shown by FIG. 3 to retain the pressure plates in theirunclamped positions until an actuating force is reapplied to thehydraulic cylinders 240 and 280- respectively.

Because of the alignment of the plate carrying platens 1 l and theconcurrent actuation of the horizontal surface 240-240' and verticalsurface 280280' hydraulic cylinders of right hand 20 and left hand 22carriage assemblies respectively, it is necessary that the railroad tie214, or other lumber structure, be centered both elevationally andtransversely of the frame 12. To this end, adjustable railroad tiesupports for centering the same elevationally and transversely withinthe press are provided. There are generally indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2by the numeral 28.

As shown in FIG. 7 the adjustable railroad tie support includes asub-assembly having channel shaped vertical support member 320 andchannel shaped transversely extending support base 324 welded to sidechannel members 46 or the frame assembly 12. As shown by FIGS. 1 and 2,a pair of adjustable railroad tie supports 28 are proved along thelongitudinal expanse of the tie frame assembly 12. The vertical channel320 is welded to the transversely extending channel shaped sub-assemblysupport 324 is a substantially L-shaped fashion as shown by FIG. 7. AL-shaped support frame is provided having a channel shaped verticalsection 328 overlying the vertical channel 320, and having atransversely extending channel shaped leg 326 overlying the transverselyextending subassembly leg 324, all as seen in FIGS. 1 and 7. A pair ofaligned transversely spaced apart bolt lugs 329 and 331 are fixedlyconnected to the sides of the channel shaped vertical support frame 328.The bolt lugs are provided with aligned apertures to receive bolts 333therebetween. In addition, a short run of vertically extending pipe 330is welded to channel shaped vertical support frame 328 and provides anarcuate vertical postioning surface for a side of railroad tie 314. In alike manner, a short run of horizontally extending pipe 332 is welded tothe channel shaped bottom support frame 326 to provide an arcuatesupport surface for the bottom of railroad tie 314.

Since the integrally formed support frame 326-328 is removably fixedlyattachable to the support sub-assembly 320-324 by way of bolts 333, itis possible to elevationally and transversely center as railroad tiebetween the pipe supports 330 and 332 by suitable shim plates.Accordingly, as shown by FIG. 7, three shim plates 338 are shown to beinerted between the channel shaped subassembly 324 and the overlyingsupport frame 326. Likewise, a pair of shim plates 340 are shown to beinserted between the vertical portion of support frame 328 and thechannel shaped vertical sub-assembly 320. Lastly, storage space forunused shim plates is provided between the vertical sub-assembly 320'and the support frame 326-328.

In the above manner, an adjustable centering of the lumber structuretransversely and elevationally of the tie press frame assembly 12 isaccomplished.

The manner in which carriage assemblies 20 and 22 are selectivelylongitudinally positioned along tracks 52 will now be discussed. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a left traverse hydraulic cylinder 32 is fixedlymounted to the frame or bed 12. More particularly, left traversecylinder 32 is provided with end plates 361 and 362 to permit thealternate supply of pressurized fluids to opposite sides of the pistonreciprocally mounted therewithin. Since the structure and cooperation ofhydraulic cylinder 32 is similar to that which was discussed in greatdetail hereinabove in connection with the horizontal surface hydrauliccylinder 240 and vertical surface hydraulic cylinder 280 of presssub-assemblies 26, a detailed discussion thereof will not be repeated.As shown in FIG. 1 piston 360 is provided with an appropriate connectorhead 362, see FIG. and the related discussion hereinabove, forconnection with projecting lug 166 from transverse sides 154 of thecarriage assembly. While any suitable means to connect the end of piston360 to the lug 166 may be provided and utilized, FIG. 5 illustrates theconnection by way of a pivot pin 363. End 362 of the left traversecylinder 32 is provided with a suitable mounting projection 364. Inaddition, a suitable carriage cylinder bracket 370- is welded to theframe or bed 12. Mounting projection 364 is fixedly attached to thecarirage cylinder bracket 370 by means of a suitable connecting pin 363.Accordingly, depending upon the direction of pressurized fluid supply,the left hand carriage assembly will be moved longitudinally to theright or left along tracks 52 by the reciprocal action of piston 360.

In a similar manner, a right hand traverse hydraulic cylinder 30 isshown in FIG. 1. As has been stated heretofore, the purpose of the righthand traverse hydraulic cylinder 30 is to differentially position theright hand carriage assembly 20 in accordance with the length andposition of a railroad tie 314 which is elevationally and transverselycentered in the tie assembly upon adjustable tie support structures 28.It should be appreciated that the carriage assemblies are longitudinallypositioned so that their horizontal and vertical pressing plates willperipherally clamp the tie proximate the terminal ends thereof. Righthand traverse hydraulic cylinder 30 is provided with a piston 374 whichis reciprocally mounted therewithin in accordance with the supply ofpressurized fluids to suitable end plates 372 or 373. Piston 374 isprovided with an appropriate mounting head for fixed connection to lug166 of the right hand carriage assembly 25. End 373 is provided with asuitable bifurcated mounting projection 3-76. In addition, a bracket 378is welded to the tie press frame assembly .12 and is shown projectingupwardly therefrom. The bifurcated mounting projection 376 of the righthand traverse hydraulic cylinder is fixedly attached to the cylinderbracket 378- by wayof pin 379. Therefore, depending on whetherpressurized fluid is supplied to end 372 or 373, piston 374 willreciprocate in accordance therewith to selectively position the righthand carriage assembly 20 along longitudinal tracks 52.

FIG. 8 illustrates in schematic fashion the hydraulic mechanism foractuation of the various apparatus components. Since the control valvesand the cylinders of the hydraulic assembly are similar, in the interestof brevity only the action of one will be described, with as much of theremaining structure being described as will be necessary forunderstanding of the invention. Moreover, since a detailed descriptionwas made of horizontal surface hydraulic clamp cylinder 240 and verticalsurface clamp cylinder 280 of press sub-assembly 26 in connection withthe description of FIGS. 3 and 4, a detailed description of thestructure and operation of the same will not be repeated at this point.In FIG. 8, the various cylinders for the press sub-assemblies, the lefttraverse cylinder, the right traverse cylinder and the end press arediagrammatically shown by a cylinder-piston arrangement. The presssub-assembly 26 associated with left hand carriage assembly 22 isprovided with a vertical surface hydraulic clamp cylinder 280 and ahorizontal surface hydraulic clamp cylinder 240 into which is slidablymounted a piston 260 having a head 262. As shown and discusssedhereinabove, a piston 260 and piston head 262 is slidably longitudinallymovable within the cylinder 240. A pair of flexible hydraulic lines 248and 250 alternately supply pressurized fluids to opposite sides of thepiston 260.

Hydraulic fluid from a suitable source 38 is pressurized by a pump 400driven from an electric motor 404. Fluid from the pump outlet passes toa four-position control valve, a bank of the same being shown by thenumeral 40 in FIGS. 1 and 8.

The pump output is also connected to a high pressure relief valve 406having a relief outlet connected either to a suitable sump or to theinput side of the pump 400. While the valves could have been either ofthe manual or solenoid operated variety, the drawing illustrates theinvention with the use of valves which are manually actuatable by levers408 in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the hydraulic cylindersis provided with a manually operated control valve. For purposes ofsimplicity, the control valve 410 associated with the selectiveoperation of left hand carriage horizontal cylinder .240 will bedescribed. As shown, in FIG. 8, valve 410 is normally in its center orneutral position 416. Section 414 is the forward or clamp section,whereas section 418 is the return or reverse section. In the centerneutral section 416, the input line 420 is connected directly to thesump or return line 422.

The output side of the control valve connects to extensions of hydrauliclines 248 and 250. Lines 248 and 250 of course carry pressurized fluidto cylinder 240 in accordance with the position of the valve 410.

When the operator moves a selected manual lever 408 of FIG. 1 in adownward direction a corresponding movement will be experienced by thehydraulic valves of FIG. 8. Accordingly, assuming that valve 410' hasbeen selected, the downward movement of lever 408 results in section 414being positioned between the inlet and outlet ports so that highpressure fluid is supplied through line 248 to the top of position head262 to drive the same outwardly and accordingly move its associatedpressing platen 286 in a clamped position about the periphery ofrailroad tie 314. Conversely, when the operator manually moves controllever 408 in an upwardly direction reverse section 418 will be broughtinto communication with the valve inlet and outlet ports so that highpressure is now supplied by way of line 250 to the hydraulic cylinder240 to urge the piston in an inwardly direction relative thereto.Accordingly, the associated pressing platen 286 will be returned to itsoriginal position away from railroad tie 314.

In operation, a railroad tie or any other lumber structure into whoseopposite ends connector plates 17, see FIG. 5 are desired to be driven,will be placed upon the arcuate support surfaces 330 and 332 ofadjustable tie supports 28. The proper number of shims 338, 340, and 342will then be placed between the frame supports 326 and 328 and thesupport sub-assemblies 320 and 324. The railroad tie will then beelevationally and transversely centered upon adjustable railroad tiesupports 28. The left hand traverse hydraulic cylinder 32 and the righthand traverse hydraulic cylinder 30 will then be longitudinally movedalong associated tracks 52 by manual actuation of a pair of levers 408by the operator to position the side press assemblies proximate thelongitudinal ends of tie rod 314. Upon the right hand and left handcarriage assemblies assuming their desired longitudinal position, theleft traverse cylinder 32 and right traverse cylinder 30 are deactivatedso that longitudinal movement by a pressing operation is permitted.Imediately upon the carriage assemblies assuming their desiredlongitudinal positions, side press assemblies 26 are operativelyactivated. Upon manual operation of the proper manual levers, thecontrol valves will be positioned such that a forward pressing motion istransmitted to the associated pistons of horizontal hydraulic clampcylinder 240, horizontal hydraulic clamp cylinder 240', verticalhydraulic clamp cylinder 280, and vertical hydraulic clamp cylinder280', see FIG. 1. Upon actuation of the pistons for slidable movement inan outward direction relative to the associated cylinders, thehorizontal clamp pressing platens 284 and 284', and vertical clamppressing platens 312 and 312 will be moved to engage the peripheralvertical and horizontal side of railroad tie 314. Thereafter, inaccordance with the description of operation hereinabove mentioned, thepressure plates 184 and 198 of the side press assemblies 28, see FIGS. 3and 4, will be moved to engaging position relative to the otherhorizontal and vertical peripheral surfaces of railroad tie 314.Accordingly, the railroad tie will be clamp along the peripheralhorizontal and vertical edges proximate the longitudinal ends thereof.

By this time connector plates 17 are being magnetically held to endpressing platens 16 and 16a. Thereafter, end

press hydraulic cylinder 36 is manually actuated by operation of anappropriate lever 408 by the operator. In response to positioning of theforward section of the appropriate control valve pressurized fluid willbe transmitted to cylinder 36 to drive pressure plate 16 in a forwarddirection. Upon engagement between and pressure plate 16 and thelongitudinal end of railroad tie 31 4, since the left hand end righthand carriage assemblies 22 and 20 are respectively in a unlockedposition to permit free longitudinal repositioning along tracks 52,movement of the lumber element 314 and carriage assemblies towardpressure plate 16a, will occur. Upon railroad tie 314 engaging and beingembedded on the toothed plate carried by the platen 16a, furthermovement of the lumber element and left hand and right hand carriageassemblies comes to a halt. The connector plates 17 are accordinglypressed into longitudinal ends of the railroad tie. The movable platen16 is then withdrawn, the clamping presses are retracted and thecarriage assemblies 20 and 22 are withdrawn, and the wooden element maybe removed from the apparatus. In the usual mode of operation a seriesof similar wooden elements are reinfored whereby the original adjustmentof the positioning units 28 will serve for the entire series which maybe treated in rapid fashion. Where desired the entire operation may beautomated so that the actuation of a simple start button will sufficefor the entire operation. That is to say, the various valves in thecontrol unit 40 may readily be solenoid actuated by relatively simpleswitching well known to those skilled in the art. If desired thesequence of such operation may then be controlled by any of a series ofknown acquencing devices. By way of example, one such sequence switchingdevice is shown in United States Pat. No. 2,803,012, issued Aug. 20,1957. Others are equally adaptable.

With such an automated arrangement, the operator positions the railroadtie or other wooden element and then presses the cycle institutingbutton. This then sequentially causes the carriages 20 and 22 to assumetheir proper positions, causes the horizontal and vertical surfacepresses to clamp the surfaces of the wooden element adjacent the endsthereof, causes the cylinder 32 to be activated to drive home thetoothed plates, causes the cylinder 32 and clamping presses to retract,causes the carriages 20 and 22 to return to their positions beyond theend of the wooden element, and finally causes the control switchingdevice to reach the end of its cycle.

It is apparent from the above that the present invention provides anovel apparatus for manufacturing reinforced wooden elements ofrelatively simple, inexpensive construction and one that may be easilymanipulated by even the most inexperienced and unskilled operators.While a number of toothed connectors may be used with the apparatus andmethod, the preferred type is that generally shown and described inUnited States Pat. No. 2,877,520, issued Mar. 17, 1959 to John C.Jureit. For the purposes of this apparatus and method, the platespreferably should be of 14 to 18 gauge still having a large plurality ofelongated nail-like teeth struck therefrom and disposed more or lessuniformly over the surface of the plate.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatents is:

1. A method for making reinforced wooden elements comprising positioningan elongated wooden element sub- 15 16 tantially horizontal, clampingopposed sides of each end References Cited of the element, and embeddingtoothed plates in opposite UNITED STATES PATENTS ends of said woodenelement by moving the teeth of one plate into one end of the elementthereby driving its 3,413,703 12/1968 Sanford other end onto the teethof a second toothed plate. 5 3,435,508 4/1968 Sanford 29432 2. A methodas set out in claim 1 wherein said clamp- 3,439,607 4/1969 Sanford227*152 ing is effected by moving clamping devices longiudinally frombeyond the ends of said element to within the ends.

3. A method as set out in claim 2 including the step of moving saidclamping devices with said wooden ele- 10 ment. 29-4322; 227152 THOMASH. EAGER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

Po-wso UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (s/so) CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No. ,540,107 Dated November 17. 1970 Inventor) JOHN c. JUREIT ETAL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 15, "an" should read and Column 3, line 69,

"magnetically" should read a magnetically Column 4, line 5, "Oeprat:should read operate line 10, "end" should read ent line 27, "a shouldread of Column 5 line 62, "piston" should read plate pla Column 7 line73, "assembes" should read assemblies Column 8,

line 13, "wooden" should read the wooden line 71, "upon" should readseated upon Column 9, line 63, "radical should read radial Column 10,line 3, "threadede" should read threaded line 7, "receipri should readreciprocal l ine 54, "position" should read positions line 69, "blasing"should read biasing Column 11, line 8, "There" should read These line16, "proved" should read provided line "postioning" should readpositioning line 39, "as" should read a line 42, "inerted" should readinserted Column 11, line 19, "is" should read in Column 12, l ine 2"carirage" should read carriage Column 13, line 20, "position" shouldread piston lines 50 and 51, "Imediately" should read Immediately line72, "clamp" should read clamped Column 14, line 6, "and" should read endline 8, "em should read and line 9, "a" should read an Signed and sealedthis 27th day of April 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER, JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents

